Ashiatsu Massage Vs Deep Tissue: Which Is Better for You?

Ashiatsu and Deep Tissue massage are different massage techniques that use deep pressure to help reduce muscle pain and tension.

The key difference is: Ashiatsu uses bare feet to apply a controlled amount of pressure on the client, whereas Deep Tissue massage uses hands and arm strength to reduce scar tissue and improve muscle healing.

Below, we will be looking at the main differences between these two treatments and answering the question of which treatment option will help you the most.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ASHIATSU AND DEEP TISSUE

1. Technique

Ashiatsu

Ashiatsu is a massage that uses the professional’s feet to apply pressure to the patient’s body rather than their hands or arms.

Ashiatsu massage therapists provide deep compression, lengthy flowing strokes, and facilitated stretching using their bare feet. The therapist employs overhead bars and controls their body weight to modify the intensity and pressure of the bodywork therapy rather than relying on the hand and arm strength utilized in a Deep Tissue massage.

Also, the therapist can change the angle of their feet in relation to the muscles, which provides a broader spectrum of pressure than any other type of massage.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue massage is a massage technique that uses specific motions and movements to relieve pain and discomfort. After initially warming up the muscle with light pressure, the therapist will apply more pressure and employ additional techniques to aid in your muscles’ recovery.

Techniques that can be used include:

Cross Fiber-Friction
To release trigger points and aid in tissue healing, friction is produced by applying pressure against the direction of the muscle fibers.
Active Release Treatment
It involves both evaluation and treatment. To create a therapy plan, a therapist will use their hands to examine your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
Muscle Energy Technique
A kind of stretching that physical therapists and athletes frequently employ. It stretches muscles susceptible to shortening, reduces inflammation, and strengthens muscles.
Trigger Point Therapy
uses a sequence of localized pressure and releases to reduce discomfort. The patient actively participates in this therapy by taking deep breaths.

2. Convenience

Both Deep tissue and Ashiatsu can be performed in the comfort of your home or the therapist’s room.

In my professional opinion, if you can get your treatments done at the massage rooms, rather have it done there than at home.

3. Purpose and Benefits

Ashiatsu

The purpose of Ashiatsu is to help decrease stress and anxiety and increase flexibility and circulation. This massage technique helps improve your overall health and well-being.

The benefits of this technique can include:

Improves Flexibility: The muscle fibers are widened and lengthened by prolonged gravity-assisted strokes. Massaging the tissues in two directions is also helpful and efficient. Flexibility is improved and restored.

No Residual Soreness: Blood vessels are not broken during an Ashiatsu massage. There is little to no bruise. In contrast to a traditional deep tissue massage, the client does not feel as much discomfort. This message does not harm the surface tissues.

Reduces Stress: Clients who receive this kind of massage relax more deeply. It thus reduces stress. Indeed, using Ashiatsu improves the condition of Nirvana. You feel a brand-new degree of peace because it decreases cortisol levels.

Deep Tissue Massage

The purpose of a Deep Tissue Massage is to help alleviate chronic and acute pain in your joints and muscles. It helps to increase your blood flow and reduces inflammation.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage include:

Promotes Muscle Healing: The inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues are worked during your massage. The methods aid in removing scar tissue that develops in your muscles after an injury, accelerating the healing process and encouraging muscle repair.

Reduces Pain: Trigger points block movement in your muscles. When your muscles cannot move correctly, they become stiff, and tension builds. The massage will help break down the trigger points, which will result in pain reduction.

Increases Your Range Of Motion: Your range of motion will increase while working out because of relaxed, less tense muscles. It will be much easier for your body to burn more calories and strengthen muscles.

4. The Price

An Ashiatsu massage can cost you anywhere between $80 to $110 The longer the session is, the more you will pay. Start with a 60-minute session and work up to a full 90-minute one.

A Deep Tissue Massage can cost anywhere between $80 to $220 per session. Once again, the longer your session, the more you will pay.

5. Frequency

Getting an Ashiatsu massage once every four to six weeks is advised for tranquility. Going more regularly is necessary if you are focusing on a particular problem. Beginning with once a week or once every two weeks, you can transition to a maintenance regimen.

You should go for a Deep Tissue massage twice a week while you are injured. Your therapist will be able to tell you if more than twice a week is required for your injury. For muscle maintenance, go for a session once a month.

6. The Aftercare

After your Ashiatsu massage, you want to ensure you drink at least six glasses of water that day. This will help your body get rid of excess toxins in your body.

I always tell my clients after a holistic massage, they want to ensure they go home and rest. Your body needs rest to help it reset after your massage. Enjoy the relaxed muscles, and do not rush to return to your daily life. Take a moment to breathe and reflect.

After Deep tissue massage, you may feel some discomfort; this is entirely normal and should go away after 48 hours. You can apply ice to your painful area, which will help reduce inflammation.

Bring a little snack for when you get back. The digestive system’s circulation will accelerate after a massage. The snack can assist in avoiding your blood sugar dropping following a deep tissue massage, which can also happen.

Ashiatsu Vs Deep Tissue [Comparison Summary]

Aspect	Ashiatsu	Deep Tissue
Technique	The treatment is performed with the therapist’s feet to help heal and relieve pain and tension in your muscles.	The treatment is performed with the therapist’s hands, thumbs, and elbows to release trigger points and tension in your muscles which causes stiffness, injuries, and pain.
Purpose	The purpose of Ashiatsu is to help decrease stress and anxiety and increase flexibility and circulation. This massage technique helps improve your overall health and well-being.	The purpose of a Deep Tissue Massage is to help alleviate chronic and acute pain in your joints and muscles. It helps to increase your blood flow and reduces inflammation.
Benefits	Relieves pain Reduces stress Increases flexibility Improves posture Boosts circulation Enhances athletic performance Promotes restful sleep	Treats conditions such as tennis elbow Releases trigger points Reduces discomfort Promotes muscle healing Treats minor muscle sprains and strains
Aftercare	Ensure you drink at least six glasses of water that day. This will help your body get rid of excess toxins in your body.	You may feel some discomfort; this is entirely normal and should go away after 48 hours. You can apply ice to your painful area, which will help reduce inflammation.
Price	$80-$110 per hour	$80-$220 per hour

Which is Good for You? Deep Tissue Or Ashiatsu?

If you have issues with the flexibility of your muscles and joints, Ashiatsu is the better option for you. The deep tissue compression technique used during the treatment will help stretch your muscles, allowing you to increase your flexibility. In my professional opinion, this treatment works well with stretching classes.

I always recommend Ashiatsu for people who want an overall wellness treatment. It works on your muscles, lymphatic system, and circulation, which will help your organs function better. Remember, this treatment is not ideal for those with issues with the Disks in their vertebrae or who have just undergone surgery.

Deep Tissue massage is one of my favorite massages to perform because my clients get instant relief. Deep Tissue is ideal for people with chronic headaches and numbness in their hands and feet. The treatment will help release the tension in the muscles causing the discomfort.

I recommend deep tissue for my clients who suffer from muscle injuries and scar tissue that has formed from an old injury. Deep Tissue massage is not suitable for those who are prone to bruising.